A Week In Business

BERLIN — In recognition of 40 years of service, Apple Discount Drugs will be holding a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., featuring free hot dogs and Pepsi, a chance to win a 24-inch flatscreen television, giveaways, Lollipop and Tootsie the Clown, a fire and juggling show and booksigning by Jason Rodes.

The events will be taking place at its locations in Berlin, Fruitland and Salisbury, but the juggling act and Rhodes will only be at the Fruitland location.

In 1971, the original 825-square-foot store was located between a beauty parlor and laundry mat in the Route 13 shopping center anchored by Ames Department Store. Within two years, Ames Plaza Drugs expanded to take over both the beauty parlor and laundry mat space. In 1977, Len Winkleman ventured into the home medical equipment business. The staff grew instantaneously with the hiring of a new surgical department. The store physically expanded to allow room for the new department by taking over a nearby carpet and tile store. In 1983, the business saw the opening of yet another branch, Ocean Medical, dedicated to providing home medical equipment and oxygen.

“Just two years later major changes started taking place in healthcare nationwide,” said Jeff Sherr, Apple Discount Drugs president. “As a growing, successful company, Ames Plaza Drugs was a prime target for national companies getting involved to expand their market share.”

In 1985, Len Winkleman decided to sell the companies to Beverly Enterprises with the belief that the new national company would provide better benefits and career opportunities for the advancement of the employees.

In 1989, Winkleman retired, but not for long. Four years later, he and Sherr bought the business back from the national owners. With news of the Ames Department Store space becoming vacant, Len and Jeff saw another opportunity for growth. This opportunity came with a challenge; renaming the company.

“Choosing a new name for the company wasn’t easy,” said Sherr. “We wanted it to remain first in the phone book and still be identifiable with a catchy health related icon. That’s when Len came up with the name, Apple Discount Drugs.”

Over the next several years, Apple formed Apple Infusion, a separate corporation, to handle home IV, chemotherapy, pain management, IV antibiotics and enternal therapy. The business also expanded with the addition of Apple Medical and Snow Hill Pharmacy in Worcester County.

Today Apple has grown into a 20,000-square-foot space with the newly expanded Fruitland location. Customers can now peer through glass to see first-hand, how pharmacists compound special prescriptions and prepare IV solutions. Within the last year Apple also initiated a Diabetes Resource Center, headed up by Diabetes Specialist, John Motsko.

The 40th Anniversary also marks a special anniversary for several Apple employees. Patty Galor is celebrating her 37th year with Apple Discount Drugs. Joining the Apple team not far behind Patty was Janet Simms, who marks 30 years with the company this month.

New Director Named

OCEAN PINES — Ocean Pines Association General Manager Bob Thompson has announced his selection of Sonya Bounds as Ocean Pines new Recreation and Parks Director.

Bounds has been fulfilling the role since the beginning of the summer and shown the Association she has what it takes to run the department. She received the news of her promotion days before her 10-year anniversary with the OPA and the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department where she has been working as the recreation program supervisor.

"Sonya has an outstanding record of service on behalf of the department and organization and in her new position will enhance the recreation and parks programs, facilities, and events that our community enjoys, Thompson said.

Bounds said, “I look forward to leading this exceptional department as we continue to enhance community livability.”

New Branch Vice President

OCEAN CITY – Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has announced that Jenny Cropper-Rines has been appointed branch vice president of the Ocean City 120th Street office.

“I am pleased and honored to be the new branch vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Ocean City 120th Street office,” said Cropper-Rines. “We really have a great team, and I look forward to bringing valuable leadership to the table.”

Cropper-Rines has been with the company since 2002, and has a tremendous track record in the area. She was president of the Coastal Delmarva Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors in 2006 and was voted “Realtor of the Year” by the Coastal Association of Realtors in 2010. Cropper-Rines currently serves as president of the Coastal Association of Realtors® and is still an active member of the Coastal Delmarva Chapter of Women’s Council of Realtors.

“Jenny has been in, or associated with resort-area real estate all of her life,” said Peter Copenhaver, Branch Vice President and Coastal Region Manager, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “Her positive attitude and work ethic will be a valuable asset at our 120th Street office.”

Annual Awards Presented

BERLIN — The Coastal Association of Realtors® met last month at The Captain’s Table Restaurant in Ocean City to honor the 2011 award winners.

Terry Bradford of Hileman Real Estate was recognized for her endless contribution to the association and the community with the 2011 Community Service Award. She was recognized for her volunteer efforts within the association and for her dedication to the many charities that she volunteers to serve including Worcester G.O.L.D, Children’s House By The Sea and the Delmarva Blood Bank.

The 2011 Affiliate of the Year was awarded to Devin Holland of Real Estate Title and Escrow for his long standing dedication to the association. He has sponsored many events including the “mini-vention” held in 2010. He has served on various committees including serving as the chair of the Rookie Committee and he currently co-chairs the Education Committee.

The 2011 Realtor of the Year Award was presented to Chris Jett of Vantage Resort Realty. Jett has served on CAR’s Board of Directors, volunteered to serve on the Finance and MLS Committees; served on the Executive and Finance Committees with the Maryland Association of REALTORS®; and has attended the MAR Conventions and the National Association of REALTORS® Mid-Year and Annual Conventions. Heis active in his community volunteering at the Ocean City Parks and Recreation as a youth coach for soccer, baseball and lacrosse.

Featured Stories

SALISBURY – The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore raised more than $88,000 during its second annual “Shore Gives More” campaign. The foundation’s online campaign allowed individuals to find charities from Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties and give them the opportunity to donate on one site. “The Community Foundation serves a diverse audience of organizations,”… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — New regulations prohibiting bow-riding on vessels could be in place as soon as next spring after a productive meeting last week between the area’s representatives in Annapolis and state boating officials. In the wake of several serious boating accidents in the resort last summer, including a fatal propeller strike that claimed the… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — Roughly nine miles off the coast of Ocean City, a quiet memorial and final resting place of a beloved long-time resort local, who passed a year ago this month, is now symbolically teeming with life as part of growing artificial reef site. Tony Meredith, known reverently and affectionately as “Uncle Tony” by… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — Calling a potential designation of the offshore Baltimore Canyon as the nation’s first Urban National Marine Sanctuary potentially “devastating” to the multi-million dollar fishing industry, resort officials this week agreed to send a letter of opposition to state and federal representatives. In October, National Aquarium officials announced they were seeking an Urban… Read more »